Drama in junior final: Cramps bring Mensik down

The final of the Australian Open men’s junior tournament ended in drama when one of the players, Jakub Mensik, a 16-year-old Czech and fourth seed, collapsed in the last game after being treated several times for severe cramps that prevented him from competing until the end of an epic match that lasted three hours and 43 minutes, and ended in a 7-6 (4), 5-7 victory and 7-5 from the 17-year-old American and number one seed Bruno Kuzuhara, who the day before had won in doubles together with the Hong Kong player, member of the Rafa Nadal Academy, Chak Lam Coleman Wong.

Mensik, a fairly tall player, was reluctant to quit, but in the last game he couldn’t get past 30-30 and after falling down and getting up several times, he double-faulted twice and lay on the court writhing in pain. His opponent ran over to try to assist him and inquire about his condition before he was wheeled off the court in a wheelchair.

“I’m sorry we won this way, we’ve pushed ourselves to the limit and I wish Jakub a speedy recovery,” Kuzuhara said at a trophy ceremony that Mensik was obviously unable to attend.